“If you open your heart to the hungry, and provide abundantly for those who are afflicted, your light will shine in the darkness, and your gloom will be like the noon. The LORD will guide you continually and provide for you.”
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Throughout 2015, UMC.org will offer fresh news stories, features and commentaries on the events that will define this year. We will also remember what brought us to this time — an Ebola outbreak, a milestone for Imagine No Malaria, actions taken on immigration, human sexuality and more. Look forward. Think back. You will find past articles in our archives. Simply name the topic and click on the search icon.
Here is a sampling of what UMC.org will bring you throughout this New Year.
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Beyond New Year’s resolutions …
It is not too late to add positive thinking, forgiveness and gratitude to your list of resolutions. Laurens Glass names things that people may miss when transitioning to a new spiritual place. Leave some space on your list for her list.New Year’s Resolutions have always been a very pass/fail sort of test for me. I set myself up to forgo chocolate and lo and behold, two weeks into the New Year, I find myself munching nonchalantly on fudge. In the immortal words of comedian Steve Martin, “I forgot.” But worse, one slip up and I feel like I have failed. I can’t go back to “the day before the fudge” so what’s the point? My record is no longer perfect.
But that is the whole point from a spiritual perspective. We’re not perfect. But we are improving.
Resolving to be more spiritual is not a hard date to keep or a hard bar to leap over. It’s a daily resetting of your mind and soul. It’s trying again when you “fail” and knowing that you can never fail if you’re trying. It is…grace. Here a few ideas for growing spiritually and for spurring you to think of your own.
1. Count to 10
Your mother was right — or, maybe it was my mother — but anyway, counting to 10 is an age-old axiom for a reason. Our first reactions to things may be influenced by how stressed we are at the moment, what just happened in that meeting or where our blood sugar levels are hovering. Do you really want to snap at someone because you are mad at someone else? Especially, if it that someone else is yourself?
Taking a few seconds to think before speaking takes discipline and practice. But taking time to respond when you feel emotional is a spiritual exercise that will help you be more centered and more caring. Make sure you eat first.
2. Breathe
But I am! Right? Breathing is an involuntary response of the body. One that happens regardless of whether we’re aware of it. But breathing can become shallow or quick when we are anxious or stressed — and that is when we need oxygen the most.
There are over 30 verses in the Bible that mention breath and they seem to often be connected to or representative of Spirit, of God.
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. — Job 33:4
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit. — John 20:22
Mindful breathing is essential to our spiritual life because it connects our heads with our bodies and our bodies with our hearts. When I feel afraid or physically sick, I breathe 10 times as deeply and calmly as I can and remind myself that it will be OK. And it is.
3. Think positive thoughts
I read that human beings think three or four negative thoughts to every positive one. My friends admit to beating themselves up for their shortcomings or worrying to the point of distraction about the future.
When things are going wrong, that’s the most difficult time to be positive — and sometimes you just have to go to bed! But a steady stream of hopeful or reassuring thoughts can help bring us back to the truth that we are not alone.
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) or simply, “It’s going to be OK!” are better thoughts to think than, “I’ll never be able to do it!” Thinking on the true and good thing (Philippians 4:8) is far better than allowing fear to overcome you. No matter how bad the situation is, remember you are loved beyond measure.
A COVENANT PRAYER
I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low by thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.
The Covenant Prayer, written by John Wesley, is used in the Covenant Renewal Service, often done on New Year’s Eve or Day. This version is on page 607 in the United Methodist hymnal.
4. Love (and forgive) yourself
One of my favorite Bible verses ever, but one that has taken years for me to comprehend is “love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27, among others). What does that really mean? I struggled with thinking loving the self was, well, selfish. Now, as an adult, I understand that you cannot love and accept others if you do not love and accept yourself. You cannot express unconditional love if you do not first practice it with yourself.
There is a beautiful song by the Bluegrass band Mountain Heart that lists the writer’s transgressors and his success in forgiving them. Notice the last line.
I forgive my daddy for missing half my life,
I forgive my momma for holding on too tight,
I’ve forgiven friends, strangers, neighbors, family,
Everybody… everybody… but me.
Holding on to guilt can impact relationships because it blocks the flow of communication, of love itself. Practice grace — with yourself. You can’t truly live your life until you do.
5. Love one another (and forgive the ones you can’t forgive)
Such a simple directive. Such a beautiful philosophy. Did He really mean the ones we disagree with, too?!
Learning to love in the manner Christ intended is more of a lifetime goal than an immediate accomplishment. The progress sneaks up on you over months, years, sort of like when I gave up the perfection of Yoga Magazine and settled for “getting better.” Which is a nice verb phrase whose synonyms include “rejuvenate, restored and released.”
Forgiving people who have hurt us may well be the most difficult task we are asked to perform as Christians. But if you keep “carrying all that anger, it’ll eat you up inside,” as Don Henley sang. The subtitle of the Rev. Adam Hamilton’s book on forgiveness is, “Finding Peace Through Letting Go,”and it means just that. And just know…it’s a process. Accept where you are with it.
6. Pray — right where you are
I tend to agree with writer Anne Lamott that prayers are usually “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” or “Help me! Help me! Help me!” But as I grew spiritually, I began to pray for other people when I myself was hurting. It’s been a powerful practice that has changed my perspective about what others go through and how many blessings I actually have.
Pray. Pray in the way that works for you. If you haven’t in a while, if you don’t believe it works… then pray that. God’s not afraid of your doubt. Praying is something you can do wherever you are.
7. Be grateful — and be joyful
I woke up one morning when all I wanted to do was cry, and I heard clearly in my head:
This is the day that the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)
So, I played “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, instead.
Gratitude is a spiritual practice that will change your life. It’s not just that it shifts your focus from what you don’t have to what you do have. It can lift your spirits in such a way that helps you cope when you are down.
Joy is an inside job but it can be inspired by external things. Music. Children. Nature. Art. Find them.
8. Think of the other fellow
That is what my mother used to say. “And you’ll feel better.” ?
When I was little, I thought doing things for others was about, well, others. It was the right and proper thing to do, but I wasn’t sure it was necessarily fun. But as an adult, I realized it did far more for me than it ever did for anyone I ever helped.
The Wesleyan tradition holds that faith and good works belong together. “We offer our lives back to God through a life of service.”
You cannot help someone else and not be changed yourself. Which may be the coolest paradox of “do unto others as you would have done unto you.” Try it.
You don’t have to master all spiritual practices this week or even this year. But you can earnestly strive to be more spiritual at any point in time. It is an on-going practice. A resolution you can re-make daily.
Happy New Year.
Laurens Glass is a content producer for United Methodist Communcations. She can be reached at LGlass@umcom.org or 615.742.5405.
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Too busy to pray?
Between work, meetings, family maintenance and more, who has time to pray? The Rev. Joe Iovino can relate. He has a new job, a young family and a long commute to work every day. Joe asked United Methodist pastors and church leaders to share tips for finding more time to pray. Many people wish they could spend more time in prayer but are concerned about squeezing it in to an already crowded calendar. This advice from United Methodist pastors and church leaders will help you move toward a deeper prayer life.
Make prayer a priority
Those hoping to find time for prayer will likely fail. You have to make time. “I like to compare it to exercise,” said Jan Reed, leader of the Centering Prayer Group at University United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas. “We need exercise to keep our bodies healthy,” she continued. “We need prayer to keep our souls healthy.”
Reed recently asked her prayer group “what they would suggest for newcomers to prayer, and most of them said, ‘Just do it!,’” a slogan of a brand of apparel one might wear while exercising. The connection to our health may be stronger than we know.
Make an appointment with God
Set aside a specific time to pray. It may be first thing in the morning, in the evening, during your lunch break, your commute, or time spent waiting for the kids. Be creative. Then put the appointment in your calendar and keep it.
The Rev. Joseph Kim welcomes a new member into the congregation of Manlius United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Joseph Kim.
Find a sacred place
The Rev. Joseph Kim of Manlius United Methodist Church in New York encourages us to have a place to pray as well. “My closet,” as Kim calls his prayer space, “is the front of the altar in the sanctuary.” But not all of us have daily access to our church buildings. “Wherever this would be,” Kim continued, “whether it is home, work, or in the car, finding your closet and time are important to deepen your prayer life.”
Turn off the television
Remove distractions and pray. Reed reminds us, “We often spend at least 20 min a day doing insignificant things – checking emails, puttering around the house, watching TV, surfing the internet, etc.” We could replace that time with 20 minutes of deep communion with God.
The Reverend Olinda Salazar-Veliz, Pastor of Hispanic Ministries at White Plains United Methodist Church and pastor of Luz del Pueblo in Cary, North Carolina, encourages us to pray through this struggle. She offers this example, “I want to grow more to follow you in better ways... Please, forgive my distractions, putting as excuses my daily chores. Allow me to approach more actively in your teachings and in the practice of them.”
The Rev. Olinda Salazar-Veliz (holding chalice) assists in serving communion to children in the community during Vacation Bible School in Raleigh, NC. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Olinda Salazar-Veliz.
Pray with a group
Being part of a group may help motivate you to pray. Hixson United Methodist Church in Tennessee saw a group of moms come together to pray for their school-age children and the schools they attended. Years later, though most of their children have graduated, the moms still pray together every Friday morning. If you cannot find a group to join, start one by inviting some friends to pray with you.
Pray as a family
Another group to pray with is your family. Send the children off to school with a moment of prayer. Give God thanks in the evening for all the blessings of the day. Pray with your spouse as you read the morning paper over breakfast. Pause to pray as you watch the evening news.
Keep your Bible and prayer journal handy
Many people miss exercise classes because they cannot find their yoga mat or car keys in time. We can also significantly cut into our prayer time while looking for what we need. Keep your Bible, journal, and other tools where you can quickly locate them.
Keep the conversation going all day
The Rev. Ginger Pudenz, Associate Pastor at Platte Woods United Methodist Church in Missouri, encourages people to pray throughout the day with Twitter prayers. “I occasionally use Twitter to send a reminder to pray,” she reports. “A few faithful followers have shared that it is a pleasant interruption to see that tweet and know that they are being called to pray with others in real time.” Short prayers throughout the day are a great way to increase your prayer life.
Pray your calendar
If you are concerned about having time, pray for it. Pray through what the day ahead will bring – your meetings, children’s events, doctor’s appointments, and the like. A few moments in prayer may be just the right medicine to still your spirit despite a hectic schedule.
Use resources
J.D. Walt who writes another daily devotional called The Daily Text for Asbury Theological Seminary’s Seedbed.com says his daily posts are a “way of sowing the seeds of Scripture into the people of God in ways that are sprouting up into all sorts of creative prayer and work in the Kingdom.” Experiment with some helps to find what works for you.
Experiment with different methods
Enjoy it
Kim warns against viewing prayer time as just another box to check on a spiritual to-do list. “When you approach prayer as your Christian duty, you would not enjoy its time,” he said. “You need to see prayer life as special time for dating with God.” He continued, “God who loves you dearly wants to spend time with you and to hear everything about your life.” Change your mindset from having tospend time with God, toward getting to.
Jan Reed leads the Centering Prayer Group, one of the fastest growing groups at University United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy of Jan Reed.
Keep going
Change takes time. There will be days when you will fall short. When that happens, forgive yourself and keep going. Remember the benefits of the deeper prayer life you seek. As Reed pondered her prayer group she said, “I think [its popularity] reflects the need for us in our hectic and busy society, to slow down, let go of frustrations, anxieties, and any of the crises we might be facing in our lives, and reconnect to God.”
Setting aside more time for prayer will change the rest of our day, making it a good year indeed.
*Joe Iovino works for UMC.org at United Methodist Communications. He may be reached at jiovino@umcom.org or 615.312.3733.
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Friendly fitness: A secret for dieting success?
Who knew?
Plans for Lisa and Dave’s “happily-ever-after” include working out together at the gym. Carol learned how to “hug the rug” from an inspiring exercise partner. One of the pastors at a health-conscious church invites members and non-members to seek physical and soulful fitness – together.A bold ad in a popular women's magazine enticed health-conscious readers with what marketing-meisters call groundbreaking research. “Lose 7X the Weight!” the plug promised. Their prescription for the success of your next diet and exercise routine is friends. Yes, BFF's—Best Friends Forever. The bottom line, according to the advertiser, is that flexing muscles and doing jumping jacks works better when you buddy-up to share your muscle pain and dietary deprivation.
“Yes!” he answered enthusiastically.
“Having a friend, spouse or partner walk with us in both our physical and spiritual journey keeps us focused and committed to our goals, all while providing Christian love and support,” the associate pastor said.
Physical fitness ministry
Five years ago, Ankeny’s church leaders went out on a limb. When it was time to build a new place to worship, hands raised in support of creating a multipurpose worship center with a gym as its center. The Christian Life Center is now a place where the fit and not-so-fit find both pews and push-ups.
“You can go to a big box sports/fitness location in any metro area, but you may not have a chance to build relationships that push you both physically and spiritually,” Wagner said.
The active congregation at Ankeny promotes health over hunkiness. They want to lower their blood pressure, keep their hips loose, knees flexible and hearts ticking.
Lisa Furney and fiancee Dave Inskeep go to the mat to get fit together. Photo courtesy of Lori Staples.
Staying in good shape is something Lisa Furney and husband-to-be, Dave Inskeep, have in common.
“It gives us another shared activity mixed with some mild competition…all in good fun,” Inskeep said. “We prefer working out with someone because it keeps us motivated to keep going.”
Furney admitted she has never felt comfortable going to a gym.
“Without the classes, I might never had started working on this part of my life.”
The active couple also likes bonding with other believers while taking on cardio drills, muscle toning and strength training,” said Inskeep.
Physically and spiritually fit
“That positive connection sustains us,” Furney said. “We appreciate the church’s concern for the ‘whole’ person—being spiritually and physically fit.”
Bodies and souls need encouragers. Director of Sports Ministry, Traci Schermerhorn, has witnessed many relationships that began with chair yoga and flourished during faith walks.
“When you start a fitness class you find yourself in a vulnerable situation,” Schermerhorn said. “Even I have been paranoid I wouldn’t be able to keep up, but I quickly realized that everyone else was thinking the same thing.”
Carol Crall was one of those beginners who worried she’d be a step behind or go to the left instead of right.
Group classes like chair yoga help participants stay motivated. Photo courtesy of Traci Schermerhorn.
Crall, who attends the local Catholic Church, decided to give Ankeny’s Christian Life Center a try. As soon as she walked in the door she saw the smiling face of an old friend, Cindy Fish. Three times a week the duo attend Seniors Exercising Together. The class helps Carol endure her arthritis and motivates Cindy with what she calls her “short attention span” for exercise.
“I need someone telling me what to do or I will quit,” Fish said.
Fitness instructors say it’s important for reluctant exercisers to find a robust cohort who can both laugh and commiserate with you while you are doing squats and gut busters.
Fish remembers when Crall first started class and was supposed to stretch to the floor. She looked at her friend and said, “I can’t do this.” However, as Crall got fitter and fitter, “hugging the carpet” became easier and easier. Now when the counter parts are told to limber up, they still chuckle of the memory of their before and after.
The fact that Krall comes from a different church makes no difference, she said. The center is open to the community.
“The fitness program brings people together,” she said. “I’ve never felt out of place. They have always been so welcoming.”
“Welcoming” is just what Wagner wants the sports ministry to be.
“There is no membership requirement or push for attendance at our church,” he said. “We do not believe we are the gatekeepers of the faith, or that our church has the only right answer.”
“We hope the ministry compels people to worship somewhere, but we also know that for some of our participants the sports and fitness programs at our church ARE their church.”
*Susan Passi-Klaus is a freelance writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
Media contact: Fran Walsh, 615-742-5458.
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Jump-start your job search
Are you tired of hearing, “Have you found a job yet?” Check out “Quick tips to jump-start your job search.” First tip? Read this story.For many people, looking for a new job is at the top of their to-do list. Jennifer Pickerell, director of career services at United Methodist-related McKendree University, offers the following steps to ensure success.
Network
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, up to 70 percent of all jobs are found through networking. You can learn about positions that are not posted on job sites, or you might find that a position is created for you because of your unique experiences and skills.
So how do you build your network? Attend professional networking events, join a group in your field of interest, volunteer and get involved at church. Look for events on your local Chamber of Commerce website or through groups on LinkedIn. Remember, networking is not using people to get a job. This should be a mutually beneficial relationship that’s developed over time. That’s why it’s important to start early. Be warm, engaging and positive. Consider creating a business card to distribute when appropriate. Don’t forget to take notes after you meet with someone so you can follow up with a thank you.
Go online
Social media can also be a useful tool in job searches. Take advantage of free online resources like LinkedIn. Create online networks and join groups in your area of interest. Many employers post positions on LinkedIn, so be sure to check the jobs area and look through your personal contacts to see who is hiring.
Don’t forget about Facebook and Twitter. Make sure you represent yourself well through posts and photos. Employers often check pages before making hiring decisions. Post and tweet to let friends and family know you’re looking for opportunities. They might be aware of something relevant.
Check with your school’s career services office to find out if it has an online database of jobs. For example, McKendree University has the College Central Network. Employers can post positions and search the resume database once the office approves the post.
Also, many employers post job openings on their own websites, so it is important to create a targeted list of organizations or companies to follow.
Be creative
Before starting the search, create a cover letter and resume. These should be developed with different companies and industries in mind. Never send out a general cover letter; it suggests you didn’t take the time to go the extra step. Research a potential employer if you’re applying for a specific position so you can highlight that knowledge in your letter.
When creating your resume, highlight your most relevant skills and experience. Request permission to list people as references. These can include previous or current supervisors, faculty members, volunteer service coordinators, coaches or another professional who can speak about your skills, work ethic and personality. Provide them with a copy of your resume. Check with your school’s career services office for more information about creating cover letters and resumes.
Practice makes perfect
It’s important to feel confident before you walk into an interview, so practice is essential. Most career services offices conduct mock interviews and can offer suggestions about what to wear and what questions you should ask your interviewer. You can also practice with family and friends, but make sure the person who conducts the mock interview can offer you solid feedback.
Be aware that many interviewers ask situational questions, meaning the questions begin with “Tell me about a time when…” so they can see how your past behavior might affect your future. Remember the STAR technique:
Situation – Explain the situation.
Task – Tell about the task at hand.
Action – State what you did to accomplish the task.
Result – Tell about your results.
Follow up
Send a thank-you letter after the interview, and follow up with interviewers afterward as appropriate. Do the same for individuals in your networks so that you can continue to develop the relationship and thank them when applicable. Keep your references updated on what is going on with your job search and give them a heads up if they might be receiving a call in the near future from a potential employer.
If enhancing your education and building leadership skills is also a part of your career goals, please visit www.gbhem.org/education for a complete list of the 119 outstanding United Methodist-related schools, colleges and universities in the United States.
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Don’t miss VIDEOS on umc.org/videos! Here is a good one: Baptism: God’s Gift to Us
“In baptism, we’re walking into God’s arms. We’re walking through that door into God’s presence that’s there for us all the time, and that’s God’s grace,” says the Rev. MaryJane Pierce Norton of Discipleship Ministries. Watch and download this meditation filled with inspiring imagery. |
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And in February …
Take a Black History Month video tour to two of the most historic African-American churches in the United States. Make life-changing stories, engaging activities and thoughtful practices part of your journey through Lent. You will always find video and text stories that draw us closer to God and each other at UMC.org.
Don’t keep us a secret.
Share UMC.org with others. What have you learned on your spiritual journey? What gives your life meaning? What information do you need? How can we support you? Sound off. Read. Question. Comment. Tell us your story. We want to hear from you.
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